Similar Drugs

Metoclopramide increases muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract. This speeds up the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines.

Metoclopramide is used short-term to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux in people who have used other medications without relief of symptoms.

Metoclopramide is also used to treat slow gastric emptying in people with diabetes (also called diabetic gastroparesis), which can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness after meals.

Metoclopramide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

NEVER TAKE METOCLOPRAMIDE IN LARGER AMOUNTS THAN RECOMMENDED, OR FOR LONGER THAN 12 WEEKS. High doses or long-term use of metoclopramide can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The longer you take metoclopramide, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in women, diabetics, and older adults.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to metoclopramide, or if you have bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).

Before you take metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, or a history of depression.

Do not drink alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of metoclopramide.

There are many other medicines that can interact with metoclopramide. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Metoclopramide Interactions

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of metoclopramide.

Metoclopramide may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Before using metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by metoclopramide.

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with metoclopramide. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Metoclopramide Dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Metoclopramide is usually taken for only 4 to 12 weeks. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

NEVER TAKE METOCLOPRAMIDE IN LARGER AMOUNTS THAN RECOMMENDED, OR FOR LONGER THAN 12 WEEKS. High doses or long-term use of metoclopramide can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The longer you take metoclopramide, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in women, diabetics, and older adults.

Take metoclopramide 30 minutes before eating. Metoclopramide is usually taken before meals and at bedtime. Your doctor may want you to take the medication as needed only with meals that usually cause heartburn. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Measure the liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To take metoclopramide orally disintegrating tablet (ODT):

Keep the tablet in its bottle or blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Make sure your hands are dry before handling a tablet. If the tablet breaks or melts in your hand, throw it away and use a new tablet.

Place the tablet on your tongue. It will begin to melt right away. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to melt in your mouth without chewing.

Swallow several times as the tablet melt. You do not need to drink liquid to help the tablet melt.

Do not take two different forms of metoclopramide (such as tablets and oral syrup) at the same time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

After you stop taking metoclopramide, you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or nervousness. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements in your face or neck, or seizure (convulsions).

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Copyright 1996-2015 Cerner Multum, Inc.

Latest Update: 11/5/2014, Version: 11.01

Metoclopramide Pictures

Reglan 10 mg, white, oblong,

Reglan 5 mg, green, oval,

Metoclopramide 10 mg-TEV, white, round,

Metoclopramide 5 mg-TEV, white, round,

Metoclopramide 10 mg-BAR, white, round,

Metoclopramide 5 mg-QUA, white, oval,

Metoclopramide 10 mg-TEV, white, round,

Metoclopramine 5 mg-APH, white, round,

Metoclopramide 5 mg-MUT, white, round,

Metoclopramide 5 mg-BAR, green, round,

Metoclopramide 10 mg-APH, white, round, film coated

Metoclopramide FAQ

Q: What is metoclopramide?

A: Metoclopramide is indicated for a variety of digestive disorders, including reflux (GERD), post-op nausea and vomiting, diabetic gastroparesis (slow gastric emptying in people with diabetes), and nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. You may also find helpful information at http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/metoclopramide.

Q: My doctor prescibed metoclopramide. Can this damage anything as I am pregnant?

A: Metoclopramide (Reglan) works to increase the speed that food moves through the stomach and into the intestines. It is used to treat heartburn and delayed stomach emptying. The US Food and Drug Administration uses available information from animal and human studies and reports to categorize drugs for their risk in pregnancy. Metoclopramide is pregnancy category B, which means that animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of producing fetal malformation (or teratogenicity). There are no controlled studies or information in human pregnancy. Metoclopramide has been used during pregnancy for its anti-nausea effects and to help move food through the stomach to decrease the feeling of fullness. Metoclopramide is only recommended for use during pregnancy when the benefit outweighs the risks. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Michelle McDermott, RPh, PharmD

About Drugs A-Z

Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. Cerner Multum™ provides the data within some of the Basics, Side Effects, Interactions, and Dosage tabs. The information within the Reviews and FAQ tabs is proprietary to Everyday Health.

You can browse Drugs A-Z for a specific prescription or over-the-counter drug or look up drugs based on your specific condition. This information is for educational purposes only, and not meant to provide medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Remember to always consult your physician or health care provider before starting, stopping, or altering a treatment or health care regimen.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by on this page is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. The information on this page has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore neither Everyday Health or its licensor warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Neither Everyday Health nor its licensors endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. The drug information above is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Neither Everyday Health nor its licensor assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of the information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have any questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Log in

Enter your Everyday Health log in:

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about
your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of
interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make
choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here.

From our Sponsors

Everyday Solutions are created by Everyday Health on behalf of our sponsors. View all.

Connect

Don't miss out on breaking news, live chats, lively debates, and inspiring stories. Join the conversation!

Free Newsletters

Personalized tips and information to get and stay healthier every day. Sign Up Now!